Prospecting in Clarksburg

Presley counters that, even if she were wealthy -- which she says she isn't -- her income shouldn't be a factor in the debate.

"That would imply because you have money, you should spend your money for a service that the county should provide," said Presley.

Besides, she noted, the mink is a hand-me-down.

"It cost me nothing, unlike this fight."

And Then There Were Two . . .

The discussions between District 19 Dels. Adrienne A. Mandel and Carol S. Petzold, both Democrats, over who should run for the state Senate have broken off, and both plan to run for the seat.

For weeks, Mandel and Petzold have been trying to agree on which of them would be a better candidate to replace retiring Sen. Leonard H. Teitelbaum (D). District 19 includes parts of Aspen Hill, Colesville and Olney.

The discussions apparently got testy, with neither Mandel nor Petzold willing to concede much ground.

"Each one of us believes we can best serve the district," Mandel said.

Mandel, who was elected to the House in 1994, said she's running for Senate so she can better serve her constituents. Petzold, elected in 1986, counters that she has more experience.

The delegates will be running against John Mahoney , a lawyer and former chairman of the Maryland Young Democrats, and Mike Lenett , a lawyer and Democratic activist.

Mandel and Petzold's decisions to give up their House seats means Del. Henry B. Heller (D), who so far has remained neutral in the Senate race, will be the only incumbent delegate seeking reelection in District 19.

But Roger P. Manno , a Silver Spring lawyer, and Alec Stone , a consultant who lives in Kemp Mill, are already running to replace Mandel and Petzold.